Overview
- Chimaev released a 26-second clip Tuesday showing brief striking from a past spar with Strickland, which did not settle their competing accounts.
- UFC CEO Dana White increased security for fight week, placed the rivals in separate hotels, and canceled a planned Paramount+ face-off.
- Chimaev dismissed Strickland’s shooting threat, saying he would be “happy to die,” and argued the added security is for Strickland’s safety.
- Strickland told reporters the precautions are unnecessary and called Chimaev a “coward,” saying he expects no pre-fight clash before Saturday.
- Betting markets list Chimaev as a heavy favorite near -535 for the Newark title bout, and he has said he hopes to move to light heavyweight next, a change that could shuffle both divisions.